Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1. (NEW) As used in sections 1 to 5, inclusive, and 7 to 10, inclusive, of this act:

(1) "Account holder" means a participant in a certified state IDA program;

(2) "Department" means the Labor Department;

(3) "Approved plan" means a plan prepared jointly by the account holder and the community-based organization that defines savings goals, program requirements and permissible uses of the individual development account and its matching funds pursuant to sections 2 to 5, inclusive, of this act and regulations adopted pursuant to section 9 of this act. The approved plan shall be a contract between the account holder and the community-based organization;

(4) "Area median income" means area median household income as determined from time to time by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;

(5) "Certified state IDA program" means a program of matched savings accounts that has been certified by the department in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to section 9 of this act;

(6) "Clearinghouse" means a service to provide organizations interested in establishing, or which have established, individual development account programs with literature on federal, state and other sources of funding, guidelines for best practices and program standards, and information regarding the establishment and maintenance of certified state IDA programs;

(7) "Community-based organization" means an organization exempt from taxation pursuant to section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, which meets the requirements set forth in regulations pursuant to section 9 of this act;

(8) "Education" means (A) a postsecondary program of instruction provided by a college, university, community college, area vocational-technical school, professional institution or specialized college or school legally authorized to grant degrees, or (B) any related educational program approved by the community-based organization and the department;

(9) "Entrepreneurial activity" means the purchase of or investment in a small business, as defined in subsection (a) of section 4-168a of the general statutes, in Connecticut in which, upon such purchase or investment, the account holder will be a principal;

(10) "Federal poverty level" means the most recent poverty income guidelines published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services;

(11) "Financial institution" means a "financial institution", as defined in section 36a-330 of the general statutes;

(12) "Household" means a household, as defined in the federal Assets for Independence Act, P.L. 105-235;

(13) "Individual development account" means a savings account, maintained in a program that is established pursuant to section 2 of this act that is held in a financial institution, for the sole purpose of holding the funds of the account holder for one of the purposes described in subsection (a) of section 2 of this act;

(14) "Individual Development Account Reserve Fund" means a nonlapsing fund administered by the department for the purposes of providing matching funds for individual development accounts in certified state IDA programs, and for funding costs incurred by community-based organizations in the operation and administration of such programs and department's administrative costs for the Connecticut IDA Initiative;

(15) "Connecticut IDA Initiative" means the state-wide individual development account initiative established in section 2 of this act;

(16) "Job training" means a program for job entrance or skill development approved by the community-based organization and the department; and

(17) "Qualified disabled individual" means a disabled individual eligible for assistance to the disabled pursuant to chapter 319mm of the general statutes.

Sec. 2. (NEW) (a) There is hereby established the "Connecticut IDA Initiative." The initiative shall be administered by the department. The initiative shall provide eligible individuals as provided in section 3 of this act with an opportunity, through a certified state IDA program, to establish an individual development account from which funds may be used by the account holder for one of the following purposes as specified in the approved plan: (1) The costs of education or job training; (2) the purchase of a home as a primary residence; (3) the participation in or development of a new or existing entrepreneurial activity; (4) the purchase of an automobile for the purpose of obtaining or maintaining employment; or (5) the making of a lease deposit on a primary residence.

(b) To implement the Connecticut IDA Initiative, the department shall, in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to section 9 of this act: (1) Establish an Individual Development Account Reserve Fund in accordance with section 5 of this act; (2) establish and operate, directly or by contract with another entity, the clearinghouse; (3) solicit, review, accept or reject proposals from community-based organizations seeking to operate certified state IDA programs on a not-for-profit basis; and (4) perform such monitoring, evaluation and oversight functions as are appropriate for the administration of the Connecticut IDA Initiative.

(c) The department shall determine the maximum per cent of all funds received from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund that may be used by a community-based organization operating a certified state IDA program in providing training, counseling, case management and for administrative purposes.

Sec. 3.(NEW) (a) An individual who has earned income, and who is a member of a household whose adjusted gross income is not in excess of eighty per cent of the area median household income for the area where such individual resides, is eligible to participate in a certified state IDA program for the purpose of accumulating and withdrawing moneys for purposes specified in subsection (a) of section 2 of this act; except that, if an individual does not have earned income solely due to a qualified disability, the earned income requirement shall not apply to such individual.

(b) Each community-based organization operating a certified state IDA program shall establish, through written governing instruments with a qualified financial institution: (1) A Trust or Custodial Account on behalf of each account holder in its program into which the account holder shall deposit savings, which accounts shall conform to the requirements of the federal Assets for Independence Act, P.A. 105-285; and (2) a separate local reserve fund into which the department shall deposit funds from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund and into which the community-based organization shall deposit funds received from the certified state IDA program from any other source. The community-based organization shall certify to the department, on forms prescribed by the department and accompanied by any documentation required by the department, that such accounts have been established pursuant to the provisions of sections 1 to 5, inclusive, and 7 to 10, inclusive, of this act, and that deposits have been made to an account by or on behalf of the account holder.

(c) A financial institution establishing a Trust or Custodial Account on behalf of an account holder shall: (1) Permit deposits to be made in the account by the account holder; and (2) pay a market rate of interest on the account.

(d) The community-based organization shall determine and monitor the earned income levels of all account holders in its certified state IDA program and shall use its best efforts to ensure that at least thirty per cent of such account holders have earned income at or below two hundred per cent of the federal poverty level.

Sec. 4. (NEW) All amounts appropriated by the state for the Connecticut IDA Initiative shall be deposited in the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund, which shall be administered by the department. In addition to all amounts appropriated by the state, the department shall deposit in the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund grants, donations, contributions and any other sources of revenue received for this purpose.

Sec. 5. (NEW) (a) Funds from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund shall be used to provide grants to community-based organizations that are operating certified state IDA programs for the purpose of providing matching funds for the individual development accounts in their programs, to assist the organizations to provide training, counseling and case management for program participants and for program administration purposes. Funds may also be used to pay for the evaluation required pursuant to section 8 of this act, the operation of the clearinghouse, and the department's administrative expenses for the Connecticut IDA Initiative. The department shall determine what proportion of the funds in the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund shall be used for each of these purposes.

(b) The Individual Development Account Reserve Fund shall be administered as follows:

(1) No new grant shall be approved by the department unless there is sufficient funding in the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund, as determined by the department, to meet all existing funding obligations including the maximum amount of state matching funds that would be required if each account holder in these certified programs met the savings goal in such account holder's approved plan.

(2) Any funds remaining in the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund at the end of each fiscal year, and the interest thereon, shall be retained in said fund and used in the next succeeding fiscal year for expenditures set forth in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Grants received by the community-based organization from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund for matching funds shall be held in the organization's local reserve fund. This fund shall be an account separate from account holders' individual development accounts, and its funds shall be disbursed in accordance with subsections (e) and (f) of this section pursuant to regulations adopted pursuant to section 9 of this act. Grants from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund for matching funds to certified state IDA programs shall be made on behalf of each individual account holder in the maximum amount of two dollars for every one dollar deposited in the individual development account by the account holder, not to exceed one thousand dollars of such matching funds per account holder for any calendar year and three thousand dollars per account holder for the duration of the account holder's participation in the program.

(d) The department and the community-based organizations, separately or cooperatively, may solicit grants and private contributions for the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund and for the local reserve funds of community-based organizations operating certified state IDA programs.

(e) If moneys are withdrawn from an individual development accounts by an account holder due to the account holder's decision to leave the certified state IDA program, all matching funds designated for said moneys shall be forfeited by the account holder and not later than December thirty-first of each year, the matching funds from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund shall be returned by the community-based organization to the department for redeposit into the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund; except that, if the withdrawal is an emergency withdrawal, as defined in regulations adopted pursuant to section 9 of this act, or is a withdrawal due to circumstances other than an account holder's decision to leave the certified state IDA program, the community-based organization may retain the matching funds for the account holder in its local reserve fund until such account holder redeposits the withdrawn funds or leaves the certified state IDA program, in accordance with such regulations.

(f) When the account holder has made sufficient deposits to such account holder's individual development account to achieve the savings goal set forth in such account holder's approved plan, the community-based organization shall pay such sum together with the matching funds from the organization's local reserve account that are attributed to this individual development account, directly to the person or entity providing the goods or services. Where matching funds from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund have not been paid out by the community-based organization for an eligible purpose within five years after the opening of an individual development account due to an account holder not making contributions as provided in the approved plan, the matching funds from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund shall be returned to the department for deposit in the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund, except that the community-based organization may grant a leave of absence or extension of time to an account holder for a period not to exceed two years, within such five-year period in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to section 9 of this act.

Sec. 6. Subdivision (20) of subsection (a) of section 12-701 of the general statutes, as amended by section 1 of public act 99-173, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(20)"Connecticut adjusted gross income" means adjusted gross income, with the following modifications: (A) There shall be added thereto (i) to the extent not properly includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes, any interest income from obligations issued by or on behalf of any state, political subdivision thereof, or public instrumentality, state or local authority, district or similar public entity, exclusive of such income from obligations issued by or on behalf of the state of Connecticut, any political subdivision thereof, or public instrumentality, state or local authority, district or similar public entity created under the laws of the state of Connecticut and exclusive of any such income with respect to which taxation by any state is prohibited by federal law, (ii) any exempt-interest dividends, as defined in Section 852(b)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code, exclusive of such exempt-interest dividends derived from obligations issued by or on behalf of the state of Connecticut, any political subdivision thereof, or public instrumentality, state or local authority, district or similar public entity created under the laws of the state of Connecticut and exclusive of such exempt-interest dividends derived from obligations, the income with respect to which taxation by any state is prohibited by federal law, (iii) any interest or dividend income on obligations or securities of any authority, commission or instrumentality of the United States which federal law exempts from federal income tax but does not exempt from state income taxes, (iv) to the extent included in gross income for federal income tax purposes for the taxable year, the total taxable amount of a lump sum distribution for the taxable year deductible from such gross income in calculating federal adjusted gross income, (v) to the extent properly includable in determining the net gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of capital assets for federal income tax purposes, any loss from the sale or exchange of obligations issued by or on behalf of the state of Connecticut, any political subdivision thereof, or public instrumentality, state or local authority, district or similar public entity created under the laws of the state of Connecticut, in the income year such loss was recognized, (vi) to the extent deductible in determining federal adjusted gross income, any income taxes imposed by this state, (vii) to the extent deductible in determining federal adjusted gross income, any interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry obligations or securities the interest on which is exempt from tax under this chapter and (viii) expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year for the production or collection of income which is exempt from taxation under this chapter or the management, conservation or maintenance of property held for the production of such income, and the amortizable bond premium for the taxable year on any bond the interest on which is exempt from tax under this chapter to the extent that such expenses and premiums are deductible in determining federal adjusted gross income. (B) There shall be subtracted therefrom (i) to the extent properly includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes, any income with respect to which taxation by any state is prohibited by federal law, (ii) to the extent allowable under section 12-718, exempt dividends paid by a regulated investment company, (iii) the amount of any refund or credit for overpayment of income taxes imposed by this state, or any other state of the United States or a political subdivision thereof, or the District of Columbia,[or any province of Canada,] to the extent properly includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes, (iv) to the extent properly includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes, any tier 1 railroad retirement benefits, (v) with respect to any natural person who is a shareholder of an S corporation which is carrying on, or which has the right to carry on, business in this state, as said term is used in section 12-214, the amount of such shareholder's pro rata share of such corporation's nonseparately computed items, as defined in Section 1366 of the Internal Revenue Code, that is subject to tax under chapter 208, in accordance with subsection (c) of section 12-217, multiplied by such corporation's apportionment fraction, if any, as determined in accordance with section 12-218, (vi) to the extent properly includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes, any interest income from obligations issued by or on behalf of the state of Connecticut, any political subdivision thereof, or public instrumentality, state or local authority, district or similar public entity created under the laws of the state of Connecticut, (vii) to the extent properly includable in determining the net gain or loss from the sale or other disposition of capital assets for federal income tax purposes, any gain from the sale or exchange of obligations issued by or on behalf of the state of Connecticut, any political subdivision thereof, or public instrumentality, state or local authority, district or similar public entity created under the laws of the state of Connecticut, in the income year such gain was recognized, (viii) any interest on indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry obligations or securities the interest on which is subject to tax under this chapter but exempt from federal income tax, to the extent that such interest on indebtedness is not deductible in determining federal adjusted gross income and is attributable to a trade or business carried on by such individual, (ix) ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred during the taxable year for the production or collection of income which is subject to taxation under this chapter but exempt from federal income tax, or the management, conservation or maintenance of property held for the production of such income, and the amortizable bond premium for the taxable year on any bond the interest on which is subject to tax under this chapter but exempt from federal income tax, to the extent that such expenses and premiums are not deductible in determining federal adjusted gross income and are attributable to a trade or business carried on by such individual, (x) for a person who files a return under the federal income tax as an unmarried individual, or a married individual filing separately whose federal adjusted gross income for such taxable year is less than fifty thousand dollars and for a husband and wife who file a return under federal income tax as married individuals filing jointly or a person who files under federal income tax as a head of household whose federal adjusted gross income for such taxable year is less than sixty thousand dollars, an amount equal to the Social Security benefits includable for federal income tax purposes; for a person who files a return under the federal income tax as an unmarried individual, or a married individual filing separately whose federal adjusted gross income for such taxable year is fifty thousand dollars or more and for a husband and wife who file a return under federal income tax as married individuals filing jointly or a person who files under federal income tax as a head of household whose federal adjusted gross income for such taxable year is sixty thousand dollars or more an amount equal to the difference between the amount of Social Security benefits includable for federal income tax purposes under the provisions of Section 13215 of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 and fifty per cent of the amount of such Social Security benefits includable for federal income tax purposes under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, prior to August 10, 1993, (xi) to the extent properly includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes, any amount rebated to a taxpayer pursuant to section 12-746, [and] (xii) to the extent properly includable in the gross income for federal income tax purposes of a designated beneficiary, any distribution to such beneficiary from any qualified state tuition program, as defined in Section 529(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, established and maintained by this state or any official, agency or instrumentality of the state, and (xiii) to the extent properly includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes of an account holder, as defined in section 1 of this act, interest earned on funds deposited in the individual development account, as defined in section 1 of this act, of such account holder. With respect to a person who is the beneficiary of a trust or estate, there shall be added or subtracted, as the case may be, from adjusted gross income such person's share, as determined under section 12-714, in the Connecticut fiduciary adjustment.

Sec. 7.(NEW) Notwithstanding any other provision of the general statutes, funds deposited into, held in, credited to, or withdrawn from an individual development account for a purpose consistent with the approved plan, including accrued interest, shall be excluded in the determination of eligibility for, or the benefit level of, any needs-based program using state or joint federal and state funding, consistent with applicable state and federal law.

Sec. 8.(NEW) The department shall evaluate the Connecticut IDA Initiative for each fiscal year ending June thirtieth. Based on such evaluation, the department shall provide a comprehensive report on the initiative to the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate no later than February first of the year following the end of each fiscal year, beginning for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001.

Sec. 9. (NEW)(a) The Labor Commissioner, in consultation with the State Treasurer shall, in accordance chapter 54 of the general statutes, adopt regulations to implement the provisions of sections 1 to 5, inclusive, and 7 to 10, inclusive, of this act and to administer the Connecticut IDA Initiative. Such regulations shall establish standards and guidelines, consistent with the provisions of sections 1 to 5, inclusive, and 7 to 10, inclusive, of this act, for certified state IDA programs, including, but not limited to: (1) Income eligibility requirements for account holders; (2) permissible savings goals for certified state IDA programs; (3) the services that each certified state IDA program shall provide to assist its account holders in meeting their savings goals including credit history assessments, assistance in credit repair and on-going credit stability, general financial education and asset-specific training, on-going case management and other support services; (4) procedures and timelines for establishment of savings accounts within financial institutions and for the deposit of funds into individual savings accounts, the department's Individual Development Account Reserve Fund, and local reserve funds maintained by certified community-based organizations; (5) allowable uses of matching funds from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund and procedures for the making of grants from such fund; (6) procedures and permissible reasons for emergency withdrawals of funds from individual accounts and leaves of absence from the program; (7) accounting and financial reporting procedures required of all certified community-based organizations; (8) required content of and deadlines for all program and evaluation reports by community-based organizations to the department; (9) required components of the approved plan between the account holder and the community-based organization, including but not limited to, savings goals, matching rates, required participation in education and training, contingency plans if the account holder fails to meet projected savings goals or schedules, savings withdrawal procedures and limitations, procedures for withdrawing from the program, provision for the disposition of funds in the event of the account holder's death, and provision for amendment of the plan with the concurrence of the account holder and the community-based organization; (10) the process of approval, certification, suspension and decertification of an individual development account program; and (11) the application and implementation of any restrictions on or requirements of funding expenditures as required under state or federal law.

(b) Such regulations shall specify the process by which the department shall solicit proposals from community-based organizations to operate certified state IDA programs, and the criteria and process that shall be used by the department in granting state certification and determining the number of individual development accounts eligible for matching funds from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund. Criteria that shall be used in granting state certification and in allocating funds from the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund to certified state IDA programs shall include, but not be limited to, the community-based organization's level of competence in meeting all financial and programmatic requirements of a certified state IDA program and the fiscal capacity of the organization to meet all financial obligations of the program and, to the extent possible, the geographic location of the organization.

Sec. 10. (NEW) Nothing in sections 1 to 5, inclusive, and 7 to 9, inclusive, of this act shall preclude a community-based organization or other entity from establishing an individual development account program and receiving matching funds from sources other than the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund.

Sec. 11.Subsection (a) of section 12-217x of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) For purposes of this section, "human capital investment" means the amount paid or incurred by a corporation on (1) job training which occurs in this state for persons who are employed in this state; (2) work education programs in this state including, but not limited to, programs in public high schools and work education-diversified occupations programs in this state; (3) worker training and education for persons who are employed in this state provided by institutions of higher education in this state; (4) donations or capital contributions to institutions of higher education in this state for improvements or advancements of technology, including physical plant improvements; (5) planning, site preparation, construction, renovation or acquisition of facilities in this state for the purpose of establishing a day care facility in this state to be used primarily by the children of employees who are employed in this state; [and] (6) subsidies to employees who are employed in this state for child care to be provided in this state; and (7) contributions made to the Individual Development Account Reserve Fund, as defined in section 1 of this act.

Sec. 12. (NEW) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 1 to 5, inclusive, and 7 to 10, inclusive, of this act, any restrictions on funding expenditures required under any state or federal law shall apply.

Sec. 13. The sum of $1,921,661 received from the Patriots settlement shall be transferred to the Other Expenses account in the Office of Policy and Management.

Sec. 14. The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, through the Office of Labor Relations, is authorized to negotiate an agreement with the New England Health Care Employees Union, District 1199, to address the issue of payments of doctors at the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for night duty, standby or on-call payments. Such agreement is exempt from the requirements of section 5-278(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes regarding supplemental understandings and shall not be subject to interest arbitration.

Sec. 15. Section 4b-55 of the general statutes, as amended by section 2 of public act 99-26, section 6 of public act 99-75 and section 48 of public act 99-241, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

As used in this section, section 4b-1 and sections 4b-56 to 4b-59, inclusive, as amended, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

(a)"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Public Works;

(b)"Consultant" means (1) any architect, professional engineer, landscape architect, land surveyor, accountant, interior designer, environmental professional or construction administrator, who is registered or licensed to practice the profession for which such person is licensed or registered in accordance with the applicable provisions of the general statutes, or (2) any planner, construction manager or financial specialist;

(c)"Consultant services" shall include those professional services rendered by architects, professional engineers, landscape architects, land surveyors, accountants, interior designers, environmental professionals, construction administrators, planners, construction managers or financial specialists, as well as incidental services that members of these professions and those in their employ are authorized to perform;

(d)"University of Connecticut library project" means a project to renovate and improve the Homer Babbidge Library at The University of Connecticut;

(f)"Priority higher education facility project" means any project which is part of a state program to repair, renovate, enlarge, equip, purchase or construct (1) instructional facilities, (2) academic core facilities, including library, research and laboratory facilities, (3) student residential or related student dining facilities, or (4) utility systems related to such projects, which are or will be operated under the jurisdiction of the board of trustees of any constituent unit of the state system of higher education, except The University of Connecticut provided the project is included in the comprehensive facilities master plan of the constituent unit pursuant to section 10a-4a or in the most recent state facility plan of the Office of Policy and Management pursuant to section 4b-23;

(g)"Project" means any state program requiring consultant services if (1) the cost of such services is estimated to exceed fifty thousand dollars or, in the case of a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, the cost of such services is estimated to exceed three hundred thousand dollars, or (2) the construction costs in connection with such program are estimated to exceed five hundred thousand dollars; or, in the case of a constituent unit of the state system of higher education, other than The University of Connecticut, the construction costs in connection with such program are estimated to exceed two million dollars;

(h)"Selection panel" or "panel" means the State Construction Services Selection Panel established pursuant to subsection (a) of section 4b-56 or, in the case of a Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority project pursuant to section 10a-186a, means the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority Construction Services Panel established pursuant to subsection (c) of section 4b-56;

(i)"User agency" means the state department or agency requesting the project;

(j)"Community court project" means (1) any project to renovate and improve a facility designated for the community court pilot program established pursuant to section 51-181c, and (2) the renovation and improvement of other state facilities required for the relocation of any state agency resulting from the placement of the community court;

(k)"Connecticut Juvenile Training School project" means a project to develop on a designated site new facilities for a Connecticut Juvenile Training School in Middletown including, but not limited to, preparing a feasibility study for, designing, constructing, reconstructing, improving or equipping said facility for use by the Department of Children and Families, which is an emergency project because there is an immediate need for completion of said project to remedy overcrowding at Long Lane School. Said school shall have an annual average daily population of not more than two hundred forty residents;

(l)"Downtown Hartford higher education center project" means a project to develop a higher education center, as defined in subparagraph (B) of subdivision (2) of section 32-600, as amended, and as described in subsection (a) of section 32-612, as amended, for the regional community-technical college system;

(m) "Correctional facility project" means any project (1) which is part of a state program to repair, renovate, enlarge or construct facilities which are or will be operated by the Department of Correction, and (2) for which there is an immediate need for completion in order to remedy prison and jail overcrowding; and

(n) "Juvenile detention center project" means any project (1) which is part of a state program to repair, renovate, enlarge or construct juvenile detention centers which are or will be operated by the Judicial Department, and (2) for which there is an immediate need for completion in order to remedy overcrowding.

Sec. 16. Subsection (a) of section 4b-58 of the general statutes, as amended by section 3 of public act 99-26, section 7 of public act 99-75 and section 49 of public act 99-241, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) (1)Except in the case of a project, The University of Connecticut library project, a priority higher education facility project, a project, as defined in subdivision (16) of section 10a-109c, undertaken by The University of Connecticut, a community court project, a correctional facility project, a juvenile detention center project, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School project, and the downtown Hartford higher education center project, the commissioner shall negotiate a contract for consultant services with the firm most qualified, in the commissioner's judgment, at compensation which the commissioner determines is both fair and reasonable to the state. (2) In the case of a project, the commissioner shall negotiate a contract for such services with the most qualified firm from among the list of firms submitted by the panel at compensation which the commissioner determines in writing to be fair and reasonable to the state. If the commissioner is unable to conclude a contract with any of the firms recommended by the panel, the commissioner shall, after issuing written findings of fact documenting the reasons for such inability, negotiate with those firms which the commissioner determines to be most qualified, at fair and reasonable compensation, to render the particular consultant services under consideration. (3) Whenever consultant services are required for The University of Connecticut library project, a priority higher education facility project, a community court project, a correctional facility project, a juvenile detention center project, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School project, or the downtown Hartford higher education center project, the commissioner shall select and interview at least three consultants or firms and shall negotiate a contract for consultant services with the firm most qualified, in the commissioner's judgment, at compensation which the commissioner determines is both fair and reasonable to the state, except that if, in the opinion of the commissioner, the Connecticut Juvenile Training School project needs to be expedited in order to meet the needs of the Department of Children and Families, the commissioner may waive such selection requirement. Except for the downtown Hartford higher education center project, the commissioner shall notify the State Properties Review Board of the commissioner's action within five business days, for its approval or disapproval in accordance with subsection (i) of section 4b-23, as amended, except that if, within fifteen days of such notice, a decision has not been made, the board shall be deemed to have approved such contract. The Connecticut Juvenile Training School project shall be exempt from the State Properties Review Board approval process.

Sec. 17. Section 4b-91 of the general statutes, as amended by section 4 of public act 99-26, section 8 of public act 99-75 and section 50 of public act 99-241, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) Every contract for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, repair or demolition of any public building for work by the state, which is estimated to cost more than five hundred thousand dollars, except (1) a contract awarded by the Commissioner of Public Works for (A) a community court project, as defined in subsection (j) of section 4b-55, (B) the Connecticut Juvenile Training School project, as defined in subsection (k) of section 4b-55, as amended, (C) the downtown Hartford higher education center project, as defined in subsection (l) of section 4b-55, as amended,[or] (D) The University of Connecticut library project, as defined in subsection (d) of section 4b-55, (E) a correctional facility project, as defined in subsection (m) of section 4b-55, as amended by this act, or (F) a juvenile detention center project, as defined in subsection (n) of section 4b-55, as amended by this act, or (2) a project, as defined in subdivision (16) of section 10a-109c, undertaken and controlled by The University of Connecticut in accordance with section 10a-109n, shall be awarded to the lowest responsible and qualified general bidder on the basis of competitive bids in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter, after the Commissioner of Public Works or, in the case of a contract for the construction of or work on a building under the supervision and control of the Joint Committee on Legislative Management of the General Assembly, the joint committee or, in the case of a contract for the construction of or work on a building under the supervision and control of one of the constituent units of the state system of higher education, the constituent unit, has invited such bids by advertisements inserted at least once in one or more newspapers having a circulation in each county in the state. The Commissioner of Public Works, the joint committee or the constituent unit, as the case may be, shall determine the manner of submission and the conditions and requirements of such bids, and the time within which the bids shall be submitted, consistent with the provisions of sections 4b-91 to 4b-96, inclusive, as amended. Such award shall be made within sixty days after the opening of such bids. If the general bidder selected as the general contractor fails to perform the general contractor's agreement to execute a contract in accordance with the terms of the general contractor's general bid and furnish a performance bond and also a labor and materials or payment bond to the amount specified in the general bid form, an award shall be made to the next lowest responsible and qualified general bidder. If the lowest responsible and qualified bidder's price submitted is in excess of funds available to make an award, the Commissioner of Public Works, the Joint Committee on Legislative Management or the constituent unit, as the case may be, is empowered to negotiate with such bidder and award the contract on the basis of the funds available, without change in the contract specifications, plans and other requirements. If the award of a contract on said basis is refused by such bidder, the Commissioner of Public Works, the Joint Committee on Legislative Management or the constituent unit, as the case may be, may negotiate with other contractors who submitted bids in ascending order of bid prices without change in the contract, specifications, plans and other requirements. In the event of negotiation with general bidders as provided herein, the general bidder involved may negotiate with subcontractors on the same basis, provided such general bidder shall negotiate only with subcontractors named on such general bidder's general bid form.

(b)Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter regarding competitive bidding procedures, the commissioner may select and interview at least three responsible and qualified general contractors, and may negotiate with any one of such contractors a contract which is both fair and reasonable to the state for a community court project, as defined in subsection (j) of section 4b-55, the downtownHartford higher education center project, as defined in subsection (l) of section 4b-55, The University of Connecticut library project, as defined in subsection (d) of said section,[or] the Connecticut Juvenile Training School project, as defined in subsection (k) of said section 4b-55, a correctional facility project, as defined in subsection (m) of section 4b-55, as amended by this act, or a juvenile detention center project, as defined in subsection (n) of section 4b-55, as amended by this act. Any general contractor awarded a contract pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to the same requirements concerning the furnishing of bonds as a contractor awarded a contract pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

Sec. 18. (NEW) The New Haven Armory may not be used in any part or at any time for the incarceration or holding of persons charged with, or convicted of, a crime, including, but not limited to, any temporary housing of prisoners or detainees on an emergency basis.

Sec. 19. (NEW) (a) There is established an Office of Workforce Competitiveness which shall be within the Office of Policy and Management, for administrative purposes only.

(b) The office shall:

(1) Be the Governor's principal workforce development policy advisor;

(2) Be the liaison between the Governor and any local, state or federal organizations and entities with respect to workforce development matters, including implementation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended;

(3) Coordinate the workforce development activities of all state agencies;

(4) Coordinate the state's implementation of the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended, and advise and assist the Governor with matters related to said act;

(5) Establish methods and procedures to ensure the maximum involvement of members of the public, the legislature and local officials in workforce development matters, including implementation of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended;

(6) Subject to the provisions of chapter 67 of the general statutes, appoint such officials and other employees as may be necessary for the discharge of the duties of the office;

(7) Enter into such contractual agreements, in accordance with established procedures, as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this act; and

(8) Take any other action necessary to carry out the provisions of this act.

(c) The Office of Workforce Competitiveness may call upon any office, department, board, commission or other agency of the state to supply such reports, information and assistance as may be necessary or appropriate in order to carry out the duties and requirements of the Office for Workforce Competitiveness. Each officer or employee of such office, department, board, commission or other agency of the state is authorized and directed to cooperate with the Office of Workforce Competitiveness and to furnish such reports, information and assistance.

Sec. 20. (a) The Office of Workforce Competitiveness shall, with the advice and assistance of the state-wide Workforce Investment Study Team established under subsection (b) of this section, undertake a study of state-level workforce investment models for organizing, integrating and coordinating such functions as planning, policy development, performance monitoring, continuous improvement, and program design, implementation and administration. The study shall include, but is not limited to, the examination of organizational models for workforce investment in other states, identification of existing federal and state-funded programs in Connecticut that support workforce investment objectives and the development of specific options leading to the development of an integrated workforce investment organizational structure for the state of Connecticut in accordance with the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998, P.L. 105-220, as from time to time amended.

(b) There is established a state-wide Workforce Investment Study Team which shall include the following members: The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee; the chairperson of the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission; a member of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness; the Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee; and six public members, one each appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House of Representatives.

(c) The state-wide Workforce Investment Study Team shall review the information collected by the Office of Workforce Competitiveness and not later than September 30, 2000, develop preliminary options and recommendations pertaining to the state structure, organization and function with respect to workforce investment planning and operations. The Connecticut Employment and Training Commission shall review such preliminary options and recommendations and report any suggested changes and modifications to the state-wide Workforce Investment Study Team not later than November 1, 2000. The state-wide Workforce Investment Study Team shall submit a final report to the Governor and the General Assembly in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes not later than January 1, 2001.

Sec. 21. Subsection (a) of section 31-3h of the general statutes, as amended by section 2 of public act 99-195, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) There is created, within the [Labor Department]Office of Workforce Competitiveness established under section 7 of this act, the Connecticut Employment and Training Commission.

Sec. 22. Subsection (a) of section 12-19a of the general statutes, as amended by section 11 of public act 99-1 of the June special session, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) On or before January first, annually, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall determine the amount due, as a state grant in lieu of taxes, to each town in this state wherein state-owned real property, reservation land held in trust by the state for an Indian tribe or a municipally owned airport, except that which was acquired and used for highways and bridges, but not excepting property acquired and used for highway administration or maintenance purposes, is located. The grant payable to any town under the provisions of this section in the state fiscal year commencing July 1, 1999, and each fiscal year thereafter, shall be equal to the total of (1) (A) one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to any facility designated by the Commissioner of Correction, on or before August first of each year, to be a correctional facility administered under the auspices of the Department of Correction or a juvenile detention center under direction of the Department of Children and Families that was used for incarcerative purposes during the preceding fiscal year. If a list containing the name and location of such designated facilities and information concerning their use for purposes of incarceration during the preceding fiscal year is not available from the Secretary of the State on the first day of August of any year, said commissioner shall, on said first day of August, certify to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management a list containing such information, [and] (B) one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to that portion of the John Dempsey Hospital located at The University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington that is used as a permanent medical ward for prisoners under the custody of the Department of Correction. Nothing in this section shall be construed as designating any portion of The University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey Hospital as a correctional facility, and (C) in the state fiscal year commencing July 1, 2001, and each fiscal year thereafter, one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid on any land designated within the 1983 Settlement boundary and taken into trust by the federal government for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on or after June 8, 1999, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, [forty]sixty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to the buildings and grounds comprising Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown. Such grant shall commence with the fiscal year beginning July 1, [1995]2000, and continuing each year thereafter, (3) notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, with respect to any town in which more than fifty per cent of the property is state-owned real property, one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to such state-owned property. Such grant shall commence with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and continuing each year thereafter, (4) subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, forty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to all other state-owned real property, and (5) forty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to all municipally owned airports; except for the exemption applicable to such property, on the assessment list in such town for the assessment date two years prior to the commencement of the state fiscal year in which such grant is payable. The grant provided pursuant to this section for any municipally owned airport shall be paid to any municipality in which the airport is located, except that the grant applicable to Sikorsky Airport shall be paid half to the town of Stratford and half to the city of Bridgeport. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, and in each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grant payable to each municipality in accordance with this section shall be reduced proportionately in the event that the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of this section with respect to such year.

Sec. 23. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-19a of the general statutes, as amended by section 11 of public act 99-1 of the June special session and section 22 of this act, or the provisions of sections 12-19b and 12-19c of the general statutes, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall certify the payment of five hundred forty four thousand one hundred seventy nine dollars to the City of Middletown. Said amount shall be a supplemental grant in lieu of taxes for the building and grounds comprising the Connecticut Valley Hospital for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1999. Payment of said amount shall be remitted in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2000.

Sec. 24. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-19a of the general statutes, as amended by section 11 of public act 99-1 of the June special session and section 22 of this act, or the provisions of sections 12-19b and 12-19c of the general statutes, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall certify the payment of one thousand one hundred eleven dollars and fifty-four cents for property located at 175 Cottage Road in the town of Madison. Said amount shall be the grant in lieu of taxes payable as a result of the exemption applicable to said property on the grand lists of 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Payment of said amount shall be remitted in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2000, and notwithstanding any provisions of the general statutes to the contrary, the tax collector of the town of Madison shall remove the tax levy for said property from the rate books which correspond to said grand lists.

Sec. 25. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-19a of the general statutes, as amended by section 11 of public act 99-1 of the June special session and section 22 of this act, or section 12-19b of the general statutes, or the pendency or resolution of an administrative or superior court appeal taken by the town of Preston regarding the value of the property comprising the buildings and land formerly used as the Norwich State Hospital, the following shall be certified as a grant in lieu of taxes for said property for the grand lists of 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001: (1) Five hundred sixty-three thousand twenty-four dollars in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2000; (2) four hundred twenty-two thousand two hundred sixty-eight dollars in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2001; (3) two hundred eighty-one thousand five hundred twelve dollars in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2002; and (4) one hundred forty-seven thousand fifty-six dollars in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2003. Such grant in lieu of taxes may be reduced proportionately for said property in any fiscal year in the event that the total of all grants under section 12-19a of the general statutes exceeds the amount appropriated for said purposes.

Sec. 26. Section 4-89 of the general statutes, as amended by section 6 of public act 99-1 of the June special session, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) No officer, department, board, commission, institution or other agency of the state shall, after the close of any fiscal year, incur, or vote or order or approve the incurring of, any obligation or expenditure under any appropriation made by the General Assembly for any fiscal year that had expired at the time the obligation for such expenditure was incurred. The Comptroller is authorized to draw warrants or process interdepartmental transactions against the available appropriations made for the current fiscal year for the payment of expenditures incurred during the prior fiscal year for which appropriations were made or in fulfillment of contracts properly made during such prior year, and the Treasurer is authorized to pay such warrants or record such interdepartmental transactions. The balances of certain appropriations which otherwise would lapse at the close of any fiscal year and for which no appropriation is made in the following year shall be extended into the succeeding fiscal year for the period of one month to permit liquidation of obligations of the prior fiscal year.

(b)Except as provided in this section, all unexpended balances of appropriations made by the General Assembly in the state budget act shall lapse at the end of the period for which they have been made and shall revert to the unappropriated surplus of the fund from which such appropriation or appropriations were made, except that any appropriation for the improvement of or maintenance work by contract on public roads, for the purchase of land or the erection of buildings or new construction or for specific projects for capital improvements and repairs, provided in the case of such specific projects allotments shall have been made by the Governor for design and construction, shall continue to be available until the attainment of the object or the completion of the work for which such appropriation was made, but in no case for more than six years unless renewed by act of the General Assembly.

(c)All unexpended balances of special appropriations made by the General Assembly for special programs, projects or studies shall lapse at the end of the period for which they have been made, except that if satisfied that the work of any such program, project or study is not completed and will continue during the following fiscal year, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall order any unexpended balance remaining in the special appropriation to be continued to the ensuing fiscal year.

(d)Any appropriation made by the General Assembly for no specific period, or any unexpended balance thereof, shall lapse on June thirtieth in the fourth year after such appropriation was made, provided when the purpose for which any such appropriation was made has been accomplished or there is no further need for funds thereunder, the unexpended balance thereof, upon the written consent of the head of the department, board, commission, institution or other agency to which such appropriation was made, shall lapse and shall revert to the unappropriated surplus of the fund from which such appropriation was made.

(e)The provisions of this section shall not apply to appropriations for Department of Transportation equipment, the highway and planning research program administered by the Department of Transportation, Department of Environmental Protection equipment or the purchase of public transportation equipment, the minor capital improvement account in the Department of Public Works, the litigation/settlement account in the Office of Policy and Management, library or educational equipment for the constituent units of the state system of higher education, or library or educational materials for the State Library. Such appropriations shall not lapse until the end of the fiscal year succeeding the fiscal year of the appropriation, provided an obligation to spend such funds has been incurred in the next preceding fiscal year, except that for the purposes of library or educational equipment or materials, such funds shall not exceed twenty-five per cent of the amount of the appropriation for such purposes.

(f)The provisions of this section shall not apply to appropriations to the Department of Higher Education for student financial assistance in an amount not greater than five per cent of the annual state student financial assistance appropriation, for the high technology graduate scholarship program established under section 10a-170a, for Connecticut higher education centers of excellence established under section 10a-25h, for the minority advancement program established under subsection (b) of section 10a-11, for the high technology doctoral fellowship program established under section 10a-25n, or to the operating funds of the constituent units of the state system of higher education established pursuant to sections 10a-105, 10a-99 and 10a-77. Such appropriations shall not lapse until the end of the fiscal year succeeding the fiscal year of the appropriation except that centers of excellence appropriations deposited by the board of governors in the Endowed Chair Investment Fund, established under section 10a-20a, shall not lapse but shall be held permanently in the Endowed Chair Investment Fund and any moneys remaining in higher education operating funds of the constituent units of the state system of higher education shall not lapse but shall be held permanently in such funds. On or before September first, annually, the Board of Governors of Higher Education shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, through the Office of Fiscal Analysis, concerning the amount of each such appropriation carried over from the preceding fiscal year.

(g)The provisions of this section shall not apply to appropriations to the Commission on the Deaf and Hearing Impaired in an amount not greater than the amount of reimbursements of prior year expenditures for the services of interpreters received by the commission during the fiscal year pursuant to section 46a-33b and such appropriations shall not lapse until the end of the fiscal year succeeding the fiscal year of the appropriation.

(h)The provisions of this section shall not apply to appropriations from the municipal solid waste recycling trust account established under subsection (d) of section 22a-241. Such appropriations shall not lapse.

Sec. 27. In accordance with the provisions of section 32-462 of the general statutes, during the period commencing on the effective date of this act and ending on December 31, 2002, the Department of Economic and Community Development is hereby authorized to provide financial assistance to the Wadsworth Atheneum for the purpose of restoration and improvements, in any two-year period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed twelve million five hundred dollars.

Sec. 28. (NEW) Any state agency which receives indirect cost recoveries from federal grant funds or other sources, when such recoveries apply to costs originally paid from the General Fund, shall deposit such cost recoveries with the Treasurer, to the credit of General Fund revenues, unless such deposit is waived by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. For purposes of this section "state agency" shall not include any constituent unit of the state system of higher education or any state institution of higher education.

Sec. 29. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 3-55i of the general statutes, the grant payments to municipalities pursuant to section 3-55j of the general statutes, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, shall be based on an appropriation of $135,000,000. If a payment due to the state from a municipality under any provision of the general statutes has not been received by the state by July 1, 2000, the amount of the grant due to such municipality from the state during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, under the provisions of section 3-55j of the general statutes shall be reduced by the amount owed to the state by such municipality.

Sec. 30. (NEW) All payments made from the Job Training Partnership Act (JPTA) in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, are deemed to be expenditures from appropriated funds authorized by public or special act of the general assembly.

Sec. 31. (NEW) The Commissioner of Environmental Protection shall, within available appropriations, reimburse municipalities for necessary costs incurred when the use of a state park in those municipalities is so great as to impede traffic, limit the movement of emergency vehicles or create a risk of a breach of peace or a threat to public safety.

Sec. 32. The appropriation to the Office of Policy and Management in section 11 of special act 99-10, as amended by section 1 of special act 00-13, for Waste Water Treatment Facility Host Town Grant, shall be used for a grant of $50,000 to each municipality which hosts a waste water treatment plant with a sewage sludge incinerator. The grant shall be paid to each of the following municipalities: Cromwell, Hartford, Naugatuck, New Haven and Waterbury.

Sec. 33. The unexpended balance of funds appropriated to the Department of Mental Retardation in section 1 of special act 99-10 and in section 83 of special act 00-13, for Workers' Compensation Claims, shall not lapse on June 30, 2000, and such funds shall continue to be available for expenditure for such purpose during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001.

Sec. 34. The unexpended balance of funds appropriated to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in section 1 of special act 99-10 and in section 83 of special act 00-13, for Workers' Compensation Claims, shall not lapse on June 30, 2000, and such funds shall continue to be available for expenditure for such purpose during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001.

Sec. 35. The unexpended balance of funds appropriated to the Department of Correction in section 1 of special act 99-10 and in section 83 of special act 00-13, for Workers' Compensation Claims, shall not lapse on June 30, 2000, and such funds shall continue to be available for expenditure for such purpose during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001.

Sec. 36. The unexpended balance of funds appropriated to the Department of Children and Families in section 1 of special act 99-10 and in section 83 of special act 00-13, for Workers' Compensation Claims, shall not lapse on June 30, 2000, and such funds shall continue to be available for expenditure for such purpose during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001.

Sec. 37. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, up to $1,000,000 appropriated in section 11 of special Act 99-10, as amended by section 1 of special act 00-13, may be transferred from the General Fund Debt Service account to the CHEFA Day Care Security account for the Childcare Facilities Program operated by the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority pursuant to section 10a-194c of the general statutes, upon approval by the Finance Advisory Committee. Such financing shall be used only for the capital costs associated with the rehabilitation or relocation of existing childcare facilities. Any transfer made pursuant to this section, shall be contingent upon the childcare facilities having received a commitment for matching funding of not less than 15% of the total costs for such capital improvement from foundations or other nonprofit 501c(3) organizations.

Sec. 38. Up to $4,650,000 appropriated to the Office of Policy and Management in section 11 of special act 99-10, as amended by special act 00-13, for private providers, shall be distributed to the Departments of Mental Retardation, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Social Services, Children and Families, the Council to Administer the Children's Trust Fund, Correction, the Judicial Department and the Board of Parole to provide an additional one half of one per cent inflationary increase to private providers funded through certain grants, and portions of grants appropriated to said agencies. The private providers receiving such funds under this act shall apply at least a proportionate amount of the increase to wage and wage-related accounts. The Departments of Mental Retardation, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Children and Families shall monitor their grants to ensure that the distributions of the inflationary increases are made proportionately. The following is a list of the accounts receiving the inflationary increase: (1) Department of Mental Retardation: Pilot Programs for Client Services, Early Intervention, Employment Opportunities and Day Services, Family Placements, Emergency Placements, Community Residential Services, (not including Community Training Homes and Room and Board), Pilot Program for Cooperative Placements; (2) Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services: Corporation for Supportive Housing, Pre-Trial Drug Education, Pre-Trial Alcohol Education, Managed Service System, Legal Services, Connecticut Mental Health Center, Professional Services, Regional Action Councils, General Assistance Managed Care, Special Populations, TBI Community Services, Grants for Substance Abuse Services, Governor's Partnership, Grants for Mental Health Services, Employment Opportunities; (3) Department of Social Services: Medicaid (Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded); (4) Department of Children and Families: Short Term Residential Treatment, Substance Abuse Screening, Local Systems of Care, Grants for Psychiatric Clinics for Children, Day Treatment Centers for Children, Treatment and Prevention of Child Abuse, Community Emergency Services, Community Preventive Services, Aftercare for Children, Family Violence Services, Health and Community Services, No Nexus Special Education, Family Preservation Services, Substance Abuse Treatment, Child Welfare Support Services, Juvenile Case Management Collaborative, Board and Care for Children-Adoption, Board and Care for Children-Foster, Board and Care for Children-Residential; (5) Council to Administer the Children's Trust Fund: Children's Trust Fund; (6) Department of Correction: Community Residential Services, Community Nonresidential Services; (7) Board of Parole: Community Residential Services, Community Nonresidential Services; (8) Judicial Department: Other Expenses, Alternative Incarceration Program, Justice Education Center, Inc., Juvenile Alternative Incarceration, Juvenile Justice Centers, Truancy Services.

Sec. 39. Up to $300,000 appropriated to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services in section 1 of special act 99-10 and section 83 of special act 00-13, for Other Expenses, shall not lapse on June 30, 2000, and such funds shall continue to be available for expenditure for such purpose during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001.

Sec. 40. (NEW) (a) There shall be within the Division of State Police, within the Department of Public Safety, a state-wide firearms trafficking task force for the effective cooperative enforcement of the laws of this state concerning the distribution and possession of firearms.

(b) The task force shall be comprised of municipal and state law enforcement officers and may include federal law enforcement officers. Such task force shall be authorized to conduct any investigation authorized by this section at any place within the state as may be deemed necessary.

(c) The task force may request and may receive from any federal, state or local agency, cooperation and assistance in the performance of its duties, including the temporary assignment of personnel which may be necessary to carry out the performance of its functions.

(d) The task force may enter into mutual assistance and cooperation agreements with other states pertaining to firearms law enforcement matters extending across state boundaries, and may consult and exchange information and personnel with agencies of other states with reference to firearms law enforcement problems of mutual concern.

(e) The Commissioner of Public Safety may appoint a commanding officer and such other personnel as the commissioner deems necessary for the duties of the task force, within available appropriations.

(f) The task force shall: (1) Review the problem of illegal trafficking in firearms and its effects, including its effects on the public, and implement solutions to address the problem; (2) identify persons illegally trafficking in firearms and focus resources to prosecute such persons; (3) track firearms which were sold or distributed illegally and implement solutions to remove such firearms from persons illegally in possession of them; and (4) coordinate its activities with other law enforcement agencies within and without the state.

Sec. 41. (a) There shall be a State-Wide Firearms Trafficking Task Force Policy Board within the Division of State Police, within the Department of Public Safety, for administrative purposes only, consisting of the Commissioner of Public Safety, the Chief State's Attorney, the agent in Connecticut in charge of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association and five chiefs of police designated by said association, each to serve for a term of one year, provided one such chief of police shall be from a municipality with a population of one hundred thousand or more.

(b) The policy board shall direct the formulation of policies and operating procedures of the task force.

(c) The policy board may apply for and administer any federal, state, local or private appropriations or grant funds made available for the operation of the task force.

(d) The receipts from the sale of seized firearms pursuant to section 54-36e of the general statutes shall be deposited in the General Fund and credited to a separate, nonlapsing forfeit firearms account which shall be established by the Comptroller. All moneys in the account are deemed to be appropriated and shall be expended for the purposes established in section 1 of this act.

Sec. 42. Subsection (b) of section 54-36e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(b)Firearms turned over to the state police pursuant to subsection (a) of this section which are not destroyed or retained for appropriate use shall be sold at public auctions, conducted by the Commissioner of Administrative Services or [his]such commissioner's designee. Pistols and revolvers, as defined in section 53a-3, which are antiques, as defined in section 29-33, or curios or relics, as defined in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 27, Chapter 1, Part 178, or modern pistols and revolvers which have a current retail value of one hundred dollars or more may be sold at such public auctions, provided such pistols and revolvers shall be sold only to persons who have a valid permit to sell a pistol or revolver, or a valid permit to carry a pistol or revolver, issued pursuant to section 29-28. Rifles and shotguns, as defined in section 53a-3, shall be sold only to persons qualified under federal law to purchase such rifles and shotguns. The proceeds of any such sale shall be paid to the State Treasurer and [by him] deposited by the State Treasurer in the forfeit firearms account within the General Fund.

Sec. 43. Notwithstanding any provision of chapter 66 of the general statutes, any former member of the state employees retirement system who (1) was previously employed by the state in the Attorney General's office for at least 32 months beginning in June 1984 and ending in March 1987, (2) left state service for no more than six years, and (3) is employed by the state as a legislative librarian on the effective date of this act, shall be entitled to retirement credit for such earlier period of service, provided such member applies to the Retirement Commission for such credited service and makes retirement contributions for each month of such period in an amount equal to five per cent of the member's salary rate in effect during such month, plus interest at the rate of five per scent per year to the date of such purchase. Such member shall make such payments no later than June 30, 2001.

Sec. 44. The sum of $300,000 appropriated to the Department of Information Technology in section 35 of special act 00-13, for the Connecticut Education Network, shall be transferred to the Commission for Educational Technology established pursuant to section 33 of public act 00-187. The Commission for Educational Technology shall allocate $150,000 each to the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut State University system for the purchase or lease of laptop computers for students in teacher preparation programs related to the integration of technology into the public school curriculum.

Sec. 45. Section 37 of public act 00-187 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

Two per cent of the amount appropriated to the Department of Information Technology for Connecticut [education technology initiatives]Education Technology Initiatives[from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, pursuant to]in section 35 of special act 00-13, shall be used by the department for purposes of subsection (b) of section 33 of this act and for section 3 of this act.

Sec. 46. Section 54 of public act 00-187 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

The Department of Information Technology shall transfer the sum of ten million dollars appropriated to the Department of Information Technology [, from the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, pursuant to]in section 35 of special act 00-13, to the Department of Education for purposes of the grant program established pursuant to section 41 of this act.

Sec. 47. Section 20 of public act 00-187 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

The sum of three hundred thousand dollars distributed to the City of Hartford in section 82 of special act 00-13 for one time revenue sharing shall [be used for an operational audit of the Hartford school district] be transferred to the Hartford public schools for completion of the fiscal and operation audit required by public act 97-4, section 6(d). These funds are to be transferred to the Citizen's Committee for Effective Government to complete the implementation of the third and final year of the audit recommendations.

Sec. 49. The sum of $2,200,000 appropriated to the Department of Education, in section 35 of special act 00-13, for School Construction Grants shall be transferred to School Accountability in the Department of Education.

Sec. 50. Any municipality, by vote of its legislative body or, in a municipality where the legislative body is a town meeting, by vote of the board of selectmen, may abate up to one hundred per cent of the property taxes due, for any assessment year commencing on or after October 1, 2001, with respect to a new school bus, as defined in section 14-275 of the general statutes.

Sec. 51. Section 20 of public act 00-140 is repealed and the following is substitute in lieu thereof:

(NEW) No officer or employee of the state executing any agreement with respect to all or any portion of the overall project or stadium facility operations, or otherwise pursuant to sections 36 to 46, inclusive, of public act 99-241, as amended by this act, shall be liable personally or be subject to any personal liability or accountability under such agreement. [The state shall protect, save, hold harmless and indemnify such officer and employee of the state against any and all financial loss or expense therefor including, without limitation, any legal expenses related thereto by reason of the execution thereof.]

Sec. 52. Section 73 of public act 00-187 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

On or before October 15, 2000, the State Board of Education shall provide a one-time supplemental grant to each regional educational service center operating one or more interdistrict magnet schools as follows: (1) The sum of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars for each such magnet school operating under the jurisdiction of a regional education service center for the first time or expanding to a new school location during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001; (2) the sum of three hundred twenty-five thousand dollars for each such magnet school continuing to operate under the jurisdiction of a regional educational service center for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001; and (3) the sum of [two hundred] one hundred and eighteen thousand seven hundred fifty dollars for related support services provided by each such regional educational service center.

Sec. 53. Subdivision (2) of section 20-299 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(2)"Land surveyor" means a person who [engages in the practice of that branch of engineering commonly known as land surveying and includes surveying and measuring the area of any portion of the earth's surface, the lengths and directions of the bounding lines and the contour of the surface, for their correct determination and description and for conveyancing or for recording, or for the establishment or reestablishment of land boundaries and the plotting of land and subdivisions of land, and like measurements and operations involved in the surveying of mines]is qualified by knowledge of mathematics, physical and applied sciences and the principles of land surveying, and who is licensed under this chapter to practice or offer to practice the profession of land surveying, including, but not limited to: (A) Measuring, evaluating or mapping elevations, topography, planimetric features or land areas of any portion of the earth's surface; (B) determining positions of points with respect to appropriate horizontal or vertical datums in order to establish control networks for topographic, planimetric or cadastral mapping; (C) measuring, evaluating, mapping, monumenting or otherwise marking on the ground, property boundary lines, interior lot lines of subdivisions, easements, rights-of-way or street lines; (D) measuring, evaluating, mapping or marking on the ground, the horizontal location of existing or proposed buildings, structures or other improvements with respect to property boundary lines, building, setback, zoning or restriction lines, existing or proposed interior lot lines, easements, rights-of-way or street lines; (E) measuring, evaluating, mapping or reporting the vertical location of existing or proposed buildings, structures or other improvements with respect to vertical reference surfaces, including base flood elevations; (F) measuring, evaluating, mapping or reporting the location of existing or proposed buildings, structures or other improvements or their surrounding topography with respect to flood insurance rate mapping or federal emergency management agency mapping; (G) measuring or mapping inland wetland boundaries delineated by a soil scientist; (H) creating or mapping surveys required for condominiums or planned communities meeting the requirements of section 47-228; (I) monumenting or otherwise marking on the ground, property subject to development rights, vertical unit boundaries, horizontal unit boundaries, leasehold real property or limited common elements described in section 47-228; (J) evaluating or designing the horizontal or vertical alignment of roads in conjunction with the layout and mapping of a subdivision; (K) measuring, evaluating or mapping areas under the earth's surface and the beds of bodies of water.

Sec. 54. Section 20-500 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof

As used in sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, unless the context otherwise requires: (1)"Appraisal Foundation" means the not-for-profit corporation referred to in Section 1121 of Title XI of FIRREA.

(2)"Certified appraiser" means a person who has satisfied the minimum requirements for a category of certification established by the commission by regulation. Such minimum requirements shall be consistent with guidelines established by the Appraisal Qualification Board of the Appraisal Foundation. The categories of certification shall include, but may be modified by the commission thereafter, one category denoted as "certified residential appraiser" and another denoted as "certified general appraiser".

(3) ["Tenured appraiser"]"Limited appraiser" means a person who held a real estate appraisal license as of January 1, 1991, and has satisfied the minimum requirements for a license as a [tenured]limited appraiser as established by the commission by regulation. The categories of [tenured]limited appraisal shall include one category denoted as ["tenured]"limited residential appraiser" and another denoted as ["tenured]"limited general appraiser".

(4)"Commission" means the Connecticut Real Estate Appraisal Commission appointed under the provisions of section 20-502, as amended by this act.

(5)"Engaging in the real estate appraisal business" means the act or process of estimating the value of real estate for a fee or other valuable consideration.

(7)"Licensed appraiser" means a person who has satisfied the minimum requirements for a category of licensing, other than licensed [tenured]limited appraiser, established by the commission by regulation. Such minimum requirements may be consistent with guidelines established by the Appraisal Qualification Board of the Appraisal Foundation. The categories of licensing shall include, but may be modified by the commission thereafter, one category denoted as "licensed residential appraiser" and another denoted as "licensed general appraiser".

(9)"Provisional appraiser" means a person engaged in the business of estimating the value of real estate for a fee or other valuable consideration under the supervision of a licensed or certified real estate appraiser and who meets the minimum requirements, if any, established by the commission by regulation for provisional appraiser status.

(10)"Real estate appraiser" means a person engaged in the business of estimating the value of real estate for a fee or other valuable consideration.

Sec. 55. Section 20-501 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) No person shall act as a real estate appraiser or provisional appraiser or engage in the real estate appraisal business without the appropriate certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license issued by the commission, unless exempted by the provisions of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act.

[(b)Partnerships, associations or corporations may be granted a certification or license to engage in the real estate appraisal business provided every member or officer of such partnership, association or corporation who actively participates in its real estate appraisal business is a certified or licensed appraiser.]

(b) No person licensed as a limited appraiser shall perform an appraisal in connection with a federally related transaction, as defined in FIRREA. Limited appraiser licenses and renewals of such limited appraiser licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall expire no later than September 30, 2006. No limited appraiser licenses shall be issued or renewed on or after October 1, 2006.

Sec. 56. Section 20-502 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) There is created in the Department of Consumer Protection the Connecticut Real Estate Appraisal Commission.

(b)The commission shall consist of eight persons, electors of the state, appointed by the Governor. Five of the members shall be certified appraisers. Three of the members shall be public members. Not more than a bare majority of the commission shall be members of the same political party and there shall be at least one member from each congressional district.

(c)The members of the commission shall serve until the expiration of the term for which they were appointed and until their successors have qualified. Members shall not be compensated for their services but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. The Governor may remove any commissioner for cause upon notice and an opportunity to be heard. Upon the death, resignation or removal of a member, the Governor shall appoint a successor to serve for the unexpired portion of the vacated term and until [his]such successor's successor is appointed and qualifies. Each member shall, before entering upon [his]such member's duties, take and file with the commission, an oath faithfully to perform the duties of [his]such member's office.

Sec. 57. Section 20-503 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) Within thirty days after the appointment of the members of the commission, the commission shall meet in the city of Hartford for the purpose of organizing by selecting such officers other than a chairman as the commission may deem necessary and appropriate. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the exercise of the powers or authority conferred upon it.

(c)The commission shall be provided with the necessary office space in Hartford by the Commissioner of Public Works and the commission and all files, records and property of the commission shall at all times be and remain therein, except that inactive files shall be stored at a location designated by the commission.

(d)The commission shall hold meetings and hearings in Hartford, in space provided by the Commissioner of Administrative Services, or at such places outside of Hartford as shall be determined by the chairman of the commission. The commission shall meet at least once in each three months' period and may meet more often on call of its chairman. The chairman of the commission shall call a meeting of the commission whenever requested to do so by a majority of the members of the commission.

(e)The commission shall vote on all matters requiring a decision and votes shall be recorded in the commission's minutes.

Sec. 58. Section 20-504 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, with advice and assistance from the commission, may adopt such reasonable regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as the commissioner deems necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act. Such regulations shall, at a minimum, address real estate appraiser qualifications, continuing education, discipline, real estate appraiser certification, licensing, [tenured]limited licensing and provisional licensing applications and renewals and shall require any real estate appraiser to comply with generally accepted standards of professional appraisal practice as described in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice issued by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation pursuant to Title XI of FIRREA. The regulations shall further require (a) any real estate appraiser who wishes to enter in or upon any premises not the subject of appraisal for purposes of estimating the value of comparable real estate to (1) obtain the permission of the owner or occupier of the premises and [to](2) identify himself or herself as an appraiser and (b) that a limited appraiser shall in any written statement, including contracts, stationary and business cards, state that such limited appraiser shall not perform an appraisal in connection with a federally related transaction, as defined in FIRREA.

Sec. 59. Section 20-505 of the general statutes, as amended by section 8 of public act 99-51 and section 21 of public act 99-145, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

The chairperson of the commission shall be bonded under the provisions of section 4-20, as amended, in such sum as the State Insurance and Risk Management Board may prescribe, with the condition that the chairperson faithfully perform the duties of the office and account for all funds received pursuant to the office.

Sec. 60. Section 20-507 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

A certified, licensed, [tenured]limited or provisional appraiser shall not be considered an employee under the provisions of section 31-275, as amended, if substantially all of the remuneration for the services performed by such appraiser, whether paid in cash or otherwise, is directly related to sales or other output rather than to the number of hours worked, and such services are performed by the appraiser pursuant to a written contract that contains the following provisions: (1)The appraiser, for purposes of workers' compensation, is engaged as an independent contractor associated with the person for whom services are performed; (2)The appraiser shall not receive any remuneration related to the number of hours worked, and shall not be treated as an employee with respect to such services for purposes of workers' compensation; (3)The appraiser shall be permitted to work any hours [he]the appraiser chooses; (4)The appraiser shall be permitted to work out of [his]the appraiser's own home or the office of the person for whom services are performed; (5)The appraiser shall be free to engage in outside employment; (6)The person for whom the services are performed may provide office facilities and supplies for the use of the appraiser, but the appraiser shall otherwise pay [his]the appraiser's own expenses, including, but not limited to, automobile, travel and entertainment expenses; and (7)The contract may be terminated by either party at any time upon notice given to the other.

Sec. 61. Section 20-508 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

Any person possessing the qualifications prescribed in sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, and in any regulations adopted in conformity with said sections, who desires to engage in the real estate appraisal business shall make application to the commission, in writing, as provided in section 20-509, as amended by this act, for the specific certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license desired.

Sec. 62. Section 20-509 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) Certifications, licenses, [tenured]limited licenses and provisional licenses under sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall be granted only to persons who bear a good reputation for honesty, truthfulness and fair dealing and who are competent to transact the business of a real estate appraiser in such manner as to safeguard the interests of the public.

(b)Each application for a certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license under said sections, or for a renewal thereof, shall be made in writing, on such forms and in such manner as is prescribed by the Department of Consumer Protection and accompanied by such evidence in support of such application as is prescribed by the commission. The commission may require such information with regard to an applicant as the commission deems desirable, with due regard to the paramount interests of the public, as to the honesty, truthfulness, integrity and competency of the applicant.[and, where the applicant is a corporation, association or partnership, as to the honesty, truthfulness, integrity and competency of the officers of such corporation or the members of such association or partnership.]

(c)Fees for applications under this section shall be paid to the commission as follows: [Sixty]Forty-five dollars for certification; forty dollars for licensing; forty dollars for [tenured]limited licensing and forty dollars for provisional licensing. The payment of an application fee shall entitle an applicant who otherwise meets the appropriate requirements established by the commission to take the appropriate written examination, where applicable, four times within the one-year period from the date of payment. In addition to the application fee, applicants taking an examination administered by a national testing service shall be required to pay directly to such testing service an examination fee covering the cost of such examination.

Sec. 63. Section 20-511 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) In order to obtain a certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, persons who have met, to the satisfaction of the commission, the minimum requirements established by the commission for such certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, shall pay to the commission, in addition to the application fee described in subsection (c) of section 20-509, as amended by this act, an initial fee of: [Four hundred fifty]Three hundred dollars, in the case of certified appraisers; two hundred twenty-five dollars, in the case of licensed appraisers and [tenured]limited licensed appraisers; and fifty dollars, in the case of provisional appraisers.

(b)All certifications, licenses, [tenured]limited licenses and provisional licenses issued under the provisions of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall expire [on the thirtieth day of April each year]annually and be subject to renewal. The renewal fee for certifications, licenses, [tenured]limited licenses and provisional licenses, to be paid to the commission, shall be: [Three hundred]Two hundred twenty-five dollars in the case of certified appraisers; two hundred twenty-five dollars in the case of licensed and [tenured]limited licensed appraisers; and fifty dollars, in the case of provisional appraisers.

(c)In order for the commission to comply with federal law and transmit a roster of real estate appraisers to the appropriate federal regulatory entity, real estate appraisers shall pay to the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, in addition to application and recordation fees, an annual registry fee established by the commission.

(d)Any certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license which expires pursuant to this subsection may be reinstated by the commission, if, not later than two years after the date of expiration, the former certification holder, licensee, [tenured]limited licensee or provisional licensee pays to the commission for each certification the sum of [three hundred]two hundred twenty-five dollars, for each license or [tenured]limited license the sum of two hundred twenty-five dollars and for each provisional license the sum of fifty dollars for each year or fraction thereof from the date of expiration of the previous certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license to the date of payment for reinstatement, except that any certified, licensed, [tenured]limited licensed or provisionally licensed appraiser whose certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license expired after [his] entering military service shall be reinstated without payment of any fee if an application for reinstatement is filed with the commission within two years after the date of expiration. Any such reinstated certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license shall expire [on the next succeeding April thirtieth]annually. Any such reinstated certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license shall be subject to an annual renewal thereafter.

(e)Any person whose application has been filed as provided in this section and section 20-509, as amended by this act, who is refused a certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license shall be given notice and afforded an opportunity for hearing as provided in the regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.

Sec. 64. Section 20-513 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

Any person holding a certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license under sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall be permitted to perform the work covered by such certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license in any municipality of this state without further examination or the imposition of any additional requirements by such municipality.

Sec. 65. Section 20-514 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) No certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, shall be denied by the commission under sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, to any applicant who has been convicted of forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money under false pretenses, extortion, criminal conspiracy to defraud, or other like offense or offenses, or to any association or partnership of which such person is a member, or to any corporation of which such person is an officer or in which as a stockholder such person has or exercises a controlling interest either directly or indirectly except in accordance with the provisions of section 46a-80.

(b)No certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, shall be issued by the Department of Consumer Protection under sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, to any applicant (1) whose application for a certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, has, within one year prior to the date of [his]the applicant's application, been rejected in this state, in any other state or in the District of Columbia or (2) whose certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, has, within one year prior to the date of [his]the applicant's application, been revoked in this state, in any other state or in the District of Columbia.

(c)No certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, shall be issued under sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, to any person who has not attained the age of eighteen years.

Sec. 66. Section 20-515 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) A nonresident of this state may become a real estate appraiser by conforming to all of the provisions of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act. The commission shall recognize a current, valid certification, license or provisional license, as the case may be, issued to a currently practicing, competent real estate appraiser by another state as satisfactorily qualifying [him]such nonresident appraiser for a certification, license or provisional license, as the case may be, as a real estate appraiser under said sections, provided: (1) The laws of the state of which [he]such nonresident appraiser is a resident require that applicants for certifications, licenses or provisional licenses, as the case may be, as real estate appraiser permit certifications, licenses or provisional licenses to be issued to residents of this state, certified, licensed or provisionally licensed, as the case may be, under said sections, without examination, and (2) the certification, licensing and provisional licensing requirements of the state of which [he]such nonresident appraiser is a resident are substantially similar to, or higher than those of this state, including establishment of competency by written examination in the case of licensed and certified appraisers, and such appraiser has no disciplinary proceeding or unresolved complaint pending against [him]such nonresident appraiser. If the applicant is a resident of a state which does not have such requirements, such applicant shall be certified, licensed or provisionally licensed by a state in accordance with Section 1116 of Title XI of FIRREA.

(b)Every nonresident applicant shall file an irrevocable consent that suits and actions may be commenced against such applicant in the proper court in any judicial district of the state in which a cause of action may arise or in which the plaintiff may reside, by the service of any process or pleading, authorized by the laws of this state, on the chairman of the commission, such consent stipulating and agreeing that such service of such process or pleading shall be taken and held in all courts to be as valid and binding as if service had been made upon such applicant in this state. If any process or pleadings mentioned in this chapter are served upon the chairman of the commission, it shall be by duplicate copies, one of which shall be filed in the office of the commission, and the other immediately forwarded by registered or certified mail, to the applicant against whom such process or pleadings are directed, at the last-known address of such applicant as shown by the records of the commission. No default in any such proceedings or action shall be taken unless it appears by affidavit of the chairman of the commission that a copy of the process or pleading was mailed to the defendant as required in this subsection, and no judgment by default shall be taken in any such action or proceeding within twenty days after the date of mailing of such process or pleading to the nonresident defendant.

(c)The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, with the advice and assistance of the commission, pursuant to Section 1122(a) of Title XI of FIRREA, shall adopt such reasonable regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, as the commissioner deems necessary to effectuate certification, licensing and provisional licensing of nonresident appraisers. Such certification, licensing and provisional licensing shall be recognized on a temporary basis in this state. The fee for a temporary certification, license or provisional license shall be one hundred [fifty] dollars. The temporary certification, license or provisional license shall be effective for [ninety]one hundred eighty days from issuance and [for only one appraisal assignment]may be extended for one additional period not to exceed one hundred eighty days for no additional fee.

Sec. 67. Section 20-516 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) The Department of Consumer Protection shall issue to each certified, licensed, [tenured]limited licensed and provisional appraiser, a certificate, in such size and form as it determines, evidencing the real estate appraiser's status.

(b)A fee of twenty-five dollars shall be paid to the commission for the issuance of a proof of certification, licensing, [tenured]limited licensing or provisional licensing or a duplicate certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license certificate.

Sec. 68. Section 20-517 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) There is hereby established an annual renewal certification, license, [tenured]limited license and provisional license to be issued by the Department of Consumer Protection.

(b)The commission shall authorize the Department of Consumer Protection to issue a renewal certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, to any applicant who possesses the qualifications specified and otherwise has complied with the provisions of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, and any regulation adopted in conformity with said sections.

(c)Persons certified, licensed, [tenured]limited licensed or provisionally licensed in accordance with the provisions of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall fulfill a continuing education requirement. Applicants for an annual renewal certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license shall, in addition to the other requirements imposed by the provisions of said sections, biennially within any even-numbered year submit proof of compliance with the continuing education requirements of this subsection, if any, to the commission, accompanied by an eight-dollar processing fee.

(d)The continuing education requirements for certified, licensed, [tenured]limited licensed, or provisionally licensed appraisers shall be satisfied by successful completion of the required number of hours of classroom study, during the two-year period preceding such renewal of certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license as provided by the commission or standards of the Appraiser Qualification Board of the Appraisal Foundation, as the case may be.

(e)If the commission refuses to grant a renewal certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, the certificate holder, licensee, [tenured]limited licensee or provisional licensee, upon written notice received as provided for in this chapter, may avail himself or herself of any of the remedies provided by sections 20-511 and 20-520, as amended by this act.

(f)The Commissioner of Consumer Protection, in consultation with the commission, shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, concerning the approval of schools, institutions or organizations offering courses in current real estate or real estate appraisal practices and licensing laws and the content of such courses. Such regulations may include, but not be limited to: (1) Specifications for meeting equivalent continuing educational experience or study; (2) exceptions from continuing education requirements for reasons of health or instances of individual hardship.

Sec. 69. Section 20-518 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

The Department of Consumer Protection may, upon the request of the commission or upon the verified complaint in writing of any person, provided such complaint, or such complaint together with evidence, documentary or otherwise, represented in connection with such complaint, shall make out a prima facie case, investigate the actions of any real estate appraiser or any person who assumes to act in any of such capacities within this state. The commission shall have the power temporarily to suspend or permanently to revoke any certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, issued under the provisions of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, and in addition to, or in lieu of, such suspension or revocation, may, in its discretion, impose a fine of not more than one thousand dollars for the first offense at any time when, after proceedings as provided in section 20-519, as amended by this act, it finds that the certification holder, licensee, [tenured]limited licensee or provisional licensee has by false or fraudulent misrepresentation obtained a certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, or that the certification holder, licensee, [tenured]limited licensee or provisional licensee is guilty of any of the following: (1) Making any material misrepresentation; (2) making any false promise of a character likely to influence, persuade or induce; (3) acting for more than one party in a transaction without the knowledge of all parties for whom he or she acts; (4) conviction in a court of competent jurisdiction of this or any other state of forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money under false pretenses, larceny, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, or other like offense or offenses, provided suspension or revocation under this subdivision shall be subject to the provisions of section 46a-80; (5) any act or conduct which constitutes dishonest, fraudulent or improper dealings; (6) a violation of any provision of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, or any regulation adopted under said sections.

Sec. 70. Section 20-519 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

Before refusing, suspending or revoking any certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, or imposing any fine, the commission shall give notice and afford an opportunity for hearing as provided in the regulations adopted by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection.

Sec. 71. Section 20-521 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

Any certification holder, licensee, [tenured]limited licensee or provisional licensee convicted of a violation of any of the offenses enumerated in subdivision (4) of section 20-518, as amended by this act, shall incur a forfeiture of his or her certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license and all moneys that may have been paid for such certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license. The clerk of any court in which such conviction has been rendered shall forward to the commission without charge a certified copy of such conviction. The commission, upon the receipt of a copy of the judgment of conviction, shall, not later than ten days after such receipt, notify the certification holder, licensee, [tenured]limited licensee or provisional licensee, in writing, of the revocation of his or her certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, which notice shall be conclusive of such revocation. Application for reinstatement of such certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license shall be subject to the provisions of section 46a-80.

Sec. 72. Section 20-523 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) Any person who engages in the real estate appraisal business without obtaining a certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, as provided in sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months or both, and shall be ineligible to obtain a certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license for one year from the date of conviction of such offense, except the commission, in its discretion, may grant a certification, license, [tenured]limited license or provisional license, as the case may be, to such person within such one-year period upon application and after a hearing on such application.

(b)No person who is not certified, licensed, [tenured]limited licensed or provisionally licensed, as appropriate, by the commission as a real estate appraiser shall represent himself or herself as being so certified, licensed, [tenured]limited licensed or provisionally licensed or use in connection with [his]such person's name or place of business the term "real estate appraiser", "real estate appraisal", "certified appraiser", "certified appraisal", "residential appraiser", "residential appraisal", ["tenured]"limited licensed appraiser", "provisional appraiser" or "provisional appraisal" or any words, letters, abbreviations or insignia indicating or implying that [he]such person is a certified, licensed, [tenured]limited licensed or provisionally licensed, as appropriate, real estate appraiser in this state. Any person who violates the provisions of this subsection shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

Sec. 73. Section 20-524 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

The commission shall submit to the Governor, as provided in section 4-60, a report of its official acts under sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act. The commission shall keep a record of proceedings and orders pertaining to the matters under its jurisdiction and of certifications, licenses, [tenured]limited licenses or provisional licenses granted, refused, suspended or revoked by it and of all reports sent to its office. The commission shall furnish without charge, for official use only, certified copies of certifications, licenses, [tenured]limited licenses, provisional licenses and documents relating thereto, to officials of this state or any municipality in this state, to officials of any other state and to any court in this state. Any certified copy of any document or record of the commission, attested as a true copy by the chairman of the commission, shall be competent evidence in any court of this state of the facts contained in such document or record.

Sec. 74. Section 20-525 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

The Department of Consumer Protection, at the request of the commission, may periodically compile and publish a bulletin containing information and material relating to the commission, its functions and certifications, licenses, [tenured]limited licenses, provisional licenses and other information and material relating to the real estate appraisal industry which might be of help and interest to certificate holders, licensees, [tenured]limited licensees or provisional licensees in their service of the public. The commission may also request the department to publish such information and material in any established periodical published in the state if, in the opinion of the commission, such form of publication would ensure the widest dissemination of such information and material to certification holders, licensees, [tenured]limited licensees and provisional licensees and the public.

Sec. 75. Section 20-526 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

The provisions of sections 20-500 to 20-528, inclusive, as amended by this act, concerning the certification, licensing, [tenured]limited licensing or provisional licensing of real estate appraisers shall not apply to (1) any person under contract with a municipality who performs a revaluation of real estate for assessment purposes pursuant to section 12-62, as amended, and (2) any licensed real estate broker or real estate salesperson who estimates the value of real estate as part of a market analysis performed for the purpose of (A) a prospective listing or sale of such real estate, (B) providing information to the seller or landlord under a listing agreement, or (C) providing information to a prospective buyer or tenant under a buyer or tenant agency agreement, provided such estimate of value shall not be referred to or be construed as an appraisal.

Sec. 76. (NEW) (a) As used in this section and subsection (a) of section 30-91 of the general statutes, as amended by this act:

(1) "Casino" means the premises within which a gaming facility is operated with other facilities, including, but not limited to, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, bingo halls or convention centers; and (2) "Gaming facility" means a room or rooms within which class III gaming, as defined in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, P.L. 100-497, 25 USC 2701, et seq., is legally conducted.

(b) A casino permit shall allow the retail sale of alcoholic liquor to be consumed on the premises of a casino.

(c) A casino permit shall allow the manufacture, storage and bottling of beer to be consumed on the premises with or without the sale of food, provided the holder of a casino permit produces at least five thousand gallons of beer on the premises annually.

(d) A casino permit shall allow the retail sale of alcoholic liquor by means of a guest bar located in hotel guest rooms provided such guest bar is: (1) Accessible only by key, magnetic card or similar device provided by the hotel to a registered guest twenty-one years of age or older; and (2) restocked no earlier than nine o'clock a.m. and no later than one o'clock a.m.

(e) The annual fee for a casino permit shall be two thousand four hundred dollars plus an additional fifty dollars for each guest room containing a guest bar.

Sec. 77. Subsection (a) of section 30-91 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) The sale or the dispensing or consumption or the presence in glasses or other receptacles suitable to permit the consumption of alcoholic liquor by an individual in places operating under hotel permits, restaurant permits, cafe permits, restaurant permits for catering establishments, bowling establishment permits, racquetball facility permits, club permits, coliseum permits, coliseum concession permits, special sporting facility restaurant permits, special sporting facility employee recreational permits, special sporting facility guest permits, special sporting facility concession permits, special sporting facility bar permits, golf country club permits, nonprofit public museum permits, university permits, airport restaurant permits, airport bar permits, airport airline club permits, tavern permits, a manufacturer permit for a brew pub, casino permits, caterer liquor permits and charitable organization permits shall be unlawful on: (1)Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between the hours of one o'clock a.m. and nine o'clock a.m.; (2)Saturday between the hours of two o'clock a.m. and nine o'clock a.m.; (3)Sunday between the hours of two o'clock a.m. and eleven o'clock a.m.; (4)Christmas, except (A) for alcoholic liquor that is served [with hot meals]where food is also available during the hours otherwise permitted by this section for the day on which Christmas falls, and (B) by casino permittees at casinos, as defined in section 24 of this act; and (5)January first between the hours of three o'clock a.m. and nine o'clock a.m., except that on any Sunday that is January first the prohibitions of this section shall be between the hours of three o'clock a.m. and eleven o'clock a.m.

Sec. 78. Section 2 of public act 99-159 is amended by adding subsection (d) as follows:

(NEW) (d) The holder of a caterer liquor permit shall be exempt from the provisions of sections 30-38, 30-52 and 30-54 and from the requirements to affix and maintain a placard, as provided in subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 30-39, as amended by this act.

Sec. 79. Subsection (g) of section 20-427 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

[(g)A certificate shall not be restored unless it is renewed not later than one year after its expiration.]

(g) The renewal fee for a certificate of registration as a home improvement contractor acting solely as the contractor of record for a corporation, shall be waived, if such contractor uses such registration for the sole purpose of directing, supervising or performing home improvements for such corporation.

Sec. 80. Within available appropriations, the secretary of the Office of Policy and Management in consultation with the commissioner of Administrative Services, the commissioner of Labor, the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor and public employees, or their designees, may hire a consultant, in accordance with part II of chapter 55a of the general statutes, to conduct a study of the costs and benefits of providing wage replacement to employees who take family and medical leave in Connecticut. The study may include (1) projected utilization of wage-replaced family and medical leave, (2) to the extent such information is available the percentage of family and medical leave that is currently taken and is fully or partially paid under existing employer policies, and the potential impact that a state program would have on these employer policies, (3) the direct impact if any, that providing wage replacement during family and medical leave has on costs incurred in other government programs such as temporary family assistance, unemployment compensation, and Medicaid reimbursement for care provided at nursing homes, (4) an estimate of average costs for employees who do not receive paid family or medical leave if providing necessary services for family members such as infant care, elder care, or care for disabled family members, (5) the impact on employers of providing a state family and medical leave benefit for employees, including the impact on overall employment, retention, recruitment and training costs, and productivity, (6) the costs of providing wage replacement through existing state insurance systems such as unemployment insurance and through new temporary disability insurance or a new family and medical leave insurance account, and (7) the feasibility of job sharing, telecommuting and the utilization of flex time scheduling. On or before July 1, 2001, the secretary shall report the findings of the consultant to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor and public employees.

Sec. 81. Section 16-19hh of the general statutes is amended by adding subsection (c) as follows:

(NEW) (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, a customer that is an existing or proposed manufacturing plant that will add or create one hundred or more jobs and that will demand at least fifty kilowatts of additional load through the construction or expansion of manufacturing facilities may be exempted from a portion of the payment of the competitive transition assessment required under section 16-145g. A customer meeting these requirements may apply to the department for an exemption from the payment of the competitive transition assessment that relate to the new or incremental load created by such construction or expansion. The department shall hold a hearing on any such application, and if approved, direct the electric distribution company to refrain from collecting a specific portion of the competitive transition assessment from such customer. The department may adopt regulations pursuant to chapter 54 to implement the provisions of this section.

Sec. 82. Subsection (c) of section 10-75 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(c) In addition to the grants described in subsection (a) of this section, within available appropriations, (1) each local or regional board of education operating a vocational agriculture center in which more than one hundred and fifty of the students in the prior school year were out-of-district students shall be eligible to receive, a grant in an amount equal to five hundred dollars for every secondary school student enrolled in such center on October first of the previous year, [and] (2) on and after July 1, 2000, if a local or regional board of education operating a vocational agriculture center that received a grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, no longer qualifies for such a grant, such local or regional board of education shall receive a grant in an amount determined as follows: (A) For the first fiscal year such board of education does not qualify for a grant under said subdivision (1), a grant in the amount equal to four hundred dollars for every secondary school student enrolled in its vocational agriculture center on October first of the previous year, (B) for the second successive fiscal year such board of education does not so qualify, a grant in an amount equal to three hundred dollars for every such secondary school student enrolled in such center on said date, (C) for the third successive fiscal year such board of education does not so qualify, a grant in an amount equal to two hundred dollars for every such secondary school student enrolled in such center on said date, and (D) for the fourth successive fiscal year such board of education does not so qualify, a grant in an amount equal to one hundred dollars for every such secondary school student enrolled in such center on said date, and (3) each local and regional board of education operating a vocational agriculture center which does not receive a grant pursuant to subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection shall receive a grant in an amount equal to sixty dollars for every secondary school student enrolled in such center on said date.

Sec. 83. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (c) of subdivision (60) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for an exemption, relating to a manufacturing facility in a distressed municipality having a population of not less than one hundred thousand persons, pursuant to subparagraph (a) of said subdivision for grand list years 1995, 1996 and 1997, except that such person failed to make application within the time specified in said subparagraph (c), may submit an application for exemption not later than thirty days after the effective date of this act. The application shall be accompanied by the fee required by section 12-81k of the general statutes. Upon receipt of the application and fee and verification of payment of such taxes, the municipality may reimburse such person in an amount equal to the amount by which such taxes exceed the taxes payable if the application had been filed in a timely manner and notwithstanding the time for filing with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management specified in section 32-9s of the general statutes, shall be eligible for payment pursuant to said section 32-9s.

Sec. 84. Notwithstanding any provisions of the general statutes and the untimely receipt of the application of a taxpayer who is a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware, for the issuance of an eligibility certificate for its manufacturing facility under section 32-9r of the general statutes, who relied in good faith on an eligibility certificate erroneously issued by a municipality on or before December 31, 1990, such taxpayer shall be allowed a credit against the corporation business tax for its income years commencing on or after April 1, 1990, but prior to April 1, 2000, under the provisions of section 12-217e of the general statutes, as in effect during the income year commencing on April 1, 1990. Any tax assessed or any interest previously charged to any such taxpayer by the Commissioner of Revenue Services for such years, which tax and interest are attributable to such credit, shall be cancelled.

Sec. 85. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (c) of subdivision (60) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for an exemption, relating to machinery and equipment in a distressed municipality for which an eligibility certificate has been issued by the Department of Economic and Community Development pursuant to subparagraph (a) of said subdivision for the 1994 assessment year, except that such person failed to make application within the time specified in said subparagraph (c), may submit an application for exemption not later than thirty days after the effective date of this act. The application shall be accompanied by the fee required by section 12-81k of the general statutes. Upon receipt of the application and fee and verification of payment of such taxes, the municipality may reimburse such person in an amount equal to the amount by which such taxes exceed the taxes payable if the application had been filed in a timely manner and notwithstanding the time for filing with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management specified in section 32-9s of the general statutes, shall be eligible for payment pursuant to said section 32-9s.

Sec. 86. (a) There shall be a personal property tax credit for any company located in this state which acquired, whether by purchase, lease purchase, or lease agreement, machinery and equipment used in manufacturing and machinery and equipment used in the biotechnology industry, and such machinery and equipment was assessed at two million one hundred eighty-seven thousand three hundred sixty-one dollars and five million seven thousand twelve dollars for the assessment years 1997 and 1998, respectively; and said company paid personal property taxes for such machinery and equipment in the amount of seventy-six thousand six hundred forty-five dollars and fourteen cents and one hundred seventy-four thousand nine hundred ninety-five dollars and fourteen cents for assessment years 1997 and 1998, respectively. The tax credit (1) shall be available for a period of five years from the effective date of this section; (2) shall be in an amount equal to twenty per cent of the aggregate amount of the personal property taxes paid for machinery and equipment used in manufacturing and machinery and equipment used in the biotechnology industry for the grand list years 1997 and 1998; and (3) shall be a credit against the amount of personal property taxes due and payable for the assessment years 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.

(b) Any municipality affected by subsection (a) of this section shall apply to the Office of Policy and Management for a state payment in lieu of the revenue which would have been received except for the provisions of said subsection (a). Such application and payment shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 12-94b of the general statutes.

Sec. 87. Any taxpayer who was eligible for a refund of taxes under section 12-459 of the general statutes for fuel used during calendar year 1996 but who failed to make a claim for refund under said section 12-459 within the statutory claim period, may make such claim as set forth in said section 12-459 not later than ninety days after the effective date of this act. The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall accept such claim as if it were received within the statutory claim period and shall proceed to make a determination on such claim as provided under said section 12-459.

Sec. 88. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B) of subdivision (72) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for a 1998 grand list exemption pursuant to said subdivision in the city of Waterbury except that such person failed to file the required exemption application within the time period prescribed, shall be regarded as having filed said application in a timely manner if such person filed said application on or before January 27, 1999, and pays a late filing fee of five hundred dollars, on or before July 1, 2000, to said city. Upon confirmation of the receipt of such fee and verification of the exemption eligibility of the machinery and equipment included in such application, the assessor shall approve the exemption for such property. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 12-94b of the general statutes, the assessor may submit such approved exemption application to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management together with a request for reimbursement of the tax loss resulting from such exemption. Subject to the Secretary's review and approval of such exemption, such reimbursement shall be included in the next certification the Secretary makes to the Comptroller under the provisions of section 12-94b of the general statutes. If a tax payment was remitted in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1999, for property approved for such exemption, said city shall reimburse the person who filed such approved exemption application, in an amount equal to such tax.

Sec. 89. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B) of subdivision (72) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for a 1999 grand list exemption pursuant to said subdivision in the city of Meriden except that such person failed to file the required exemption application within the time period prescribed, shall be regarded as having filed said application in a timely manner if such person (1) filed said application on February 7, 2000; (2) signs such application on or before July 1, 2000; and (3) pays a late filing fee of five hundred dollars, at the time said application is signed, to said city. Upon confirmation of the receipt of such fee and verification of the exemption eligibility of the machinery and equipment included in such application, the assessor shall approve the exemption for such property. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 12-94b of the general statutes, the assessor of the city of Meriden may submit such approved exemption application to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management together with a request for reimbursement of the tax loss resulting from such exemption. Subject to the secretary's review and approval of such exemption, such reimbursement shall be included in the next certification the secretary makes to the Comptroller under the provisions of section 12-94b of the general statutes.

Sec. 90. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (c) of subsection (59) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for an exemption, relating to real property taxes in the city of Hartford for which an eligibility certificate has been issued by the Department of Economic and Community Development pursuant to subdivision (a) of said subsection for assessment year 1999, except that such person failed to make application within the time specified in said subdivision (c), may submit an application for exemption not later than thirty days after the effective date of this act. The application shall be accompanied by the fee required by section 12-81k of the general statutes. Upon receipt of the application and fee and verification of payment of such taxes, the municipality may reimburse such person in an amount equal to the amount by which such taxes exceed the taxes payable if the application had been filed in a timely manner and, notwithstanding the time for filing with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management specified in section 32-9s of the general statutes, shall be eligible for payment pursuant to said section 32-9s.

Sec. 91. Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (B) of subdivision (72) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for a 1996 grand list exemption pursuant to said subdivision in the city of Milford except that such person failed to file the required exemption application within the time period prescribed, shall be regarded as having filed said application in a timely manner if such person files said application not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section and pays the late filing fee pursuant to section 12-81k of the general statutes. Upon confirmation of the receipt of such fee and verification of the exemption eligibility of the machinery and equipment included in such application, the assessor shall approve the exemption for such property. If taxes have been paid on the property for which such exemption is approved, the city of Milford shall reimburse such person in an amount equal to the amount by which such taxes exceed the taxes payable if the application had been filed in a timely manner. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 12-94b of the general statutes, the assessor of the city of Milford may submit such approved exemption application to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management together with a request for reimbursement of the tax loss resulting from such exemption. Subject to the secretary's review and approval of such exemption, such reimbursement shall be included in the next certification the secretary makes to the Comptroller under the provisions of section 12-94b of the general statutes.

Sec. 92. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (72) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for a 1999 grand list exemption pursuant to said subdivision (72) in the town of Madison except that such person failed to file the required exemption application within the time period prescribed, shall be regarded as having filed said application in a timely manner if such person filed said application on or before thirty days after the effective date of this act, and pays a late filing fee as provided in section 12-81k of the general statutes. Upon confirmation of the receipt of such fee and verification of the exemption eligibility of the machinery and equipment included in such application, the assessor shall approve the exemption for such property. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of section 12-94b of the general statutes, the assessor may submit such approved exemption application to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management together with a request for reimbursement of the tax loss resulting from such exemption. Subject to the secretary's review and approval of such exemption, such reimbursement shall be included in the next certification the secretary makes to the Comptroller under the provisions of section 12-94b of the general statutes.

Sec. 93. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of subdivision (59) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for a 1998 grand list exemption for real property located in a municipality's enterprise corridor zone, except that such person failed to make application within the time specified in said subdivision, may submit an application for exemption not later than thirty days after the effective date of this act. The application shall be accompanied by the fee required by section 12-81k of the general statutes. Upon receipt of the application and fee and verification of the exemption eligibility of the property included in such application, the assessor shall approve the exemption for such property. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 32-9s of the general statutes, the assessor may submit such approved exemption application to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management together with a request for reimbursement of the tax loss resulting from such exemption. Subject to the secretary's review and approval of said exemption, such reimbursement shall be included in the next certification the secretary makes to the Comptroller under the provisions of said section 32-9s. The municipality in which said property is located shall reimburse such person in an amount equal to the amount by which the taxes paid with respect to said property exceed the taxes payable if the application had been filed in a timely manner.

Sec. 94. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-81k and subparagraph (B) of subdivision (72) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person in the city of Meriden for whom an eligibility certificate was issued by the Department of Economic and Community Development pursuant to section 32-9r of the general statutes and who failed to make application for the exemption provided under said subdivision (72) of section 12-81 for the assessment year commencing October 1, 1994, may submit an application for such exemption not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section. The tax assessor for the city of Meriden may approve the exemption of property included in such application and, notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-94b of the general statutes, may submit a request for reimbursement of the tax loss resulting from such exemption to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Subject to the secretary's review and approval of such exemption, such reimbursement shall be included in the next certification the secretary makes to the State Comptroller under the provisions of said section 12-94b.

Sec. 95. The tax assessor for the city of Meriden may rescind any previous denial of the exemption provided under subdivision (72) of section 12-81 pursuant to subparagraph (D) of said subdivision with respect to the assessment years commencing October 1, 1997, and October 1, 1998, for a person described in section 1 of this act. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 12-94b of the general statutes, the tax assessor for the city of Meriden may submit a request for reimbursement of the tax loss resulting from the approval of said exemptions to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management. Subject to the secretary's review and approval of such exemptions, such reimbursement shall be included in the next certification the secretary makes to the State Comptroller under the provisions of said section 12-94b.

Sec. 96. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (c) of subsection (59) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for an exemption, relating to real property taxes in the city of Hartford for which an eligibility certificate has been issued by the Department of Economic and Community Development pursuant to subdivision (a) of said subsection for assessment year 1999, except that such person failed to make application within the time specified in said subdivision (c), may submit an application for exemption not later than thirty days after the effective date of this act. The application shall be accompanied by the fee required by section 12-81k of the general statutes. Upon receipt of the application and fee and verification of payment of such taxes, the municipality may reimburse such person in an amount equal to the amount by which such taxes exceed the taxes payable if the application had been filed in a timely manner and, notwithstanding the time for filing with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management specified in section 32-9s of the general statutes, shall be eligible for payment pursuant to said section 32-9s.

Sec. 97. Section 7-522 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

(a) On or after July 7, 1987, any municipality may apply for an emergency relief grant to reimburse such municipality for documented expenses related to any emergency occurring on or after January 1, 1987. [To]Except as provided under subsection (d) of this section, to receive a grant from the local emergency relief account, a municipality shall furnish to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, in the form and manner prescribed by the secretary, a grant application that shall consist of: (1) A description of the nature of the emergency necessitating the grant request and a reference to any official proclamation declaring an emergency situation to exist; (2) information whether or not the municipality requested and received assistance from any federal, state or local governmental agency; (3) a certified copy of the action taken or to be taken by the municipality for emergency response; and (4) certification that such municipality's emergency response activities meet the criteria set forth by the Local Emergency Relief Advisory Committee.

(b)The Local Emergency Relief Advisory Committee shall recommend approval or disapproval of each completed application made pursuant to subsection (a) of this section for an emergency relief grant within thirty days of receipt of [an]such application and shall recommend approval and the percentage of reimbursement to be paid if the committee finds that: (1) The emergency for which grant assistance is requested meets the criteria set forth by the committee; and (2) sufficient funds are available within the local emergency relief account.[; and (3) grant]Such grant proceeds shall be used to reimburse costs associated with local emergency response activities.[or to satisfy a local matching requirement for federal assistance under the federal Disaster Relief Act.]

(c)Upon recommendation by the Local Emergency Relief Advisory Committee of approval of an application for an emergency relief grant, and upon approval of such recommendation by the Finance Advisory Committee, under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall certify to the Comptroller the amount due to the municipality. Not later than fifteen days after such certification, the Comptroller shall draw his order on the Treasurer and, not later than fifteen days thereafter, the Treasurer shall pay the grant to the municipality.

(d) In the case of an emergency relief grant, the proceeds of which shall be used to satisfy a local matching requirement for federal assistance under the federal Disaster Relief Act, upon approval by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management of a completed federal disaster assistance application, the secretary shall certify to the Comptroller the amount due to the municipality. Not later than fifteen days after such certification, the Comptroller shall draw his order on the Treasurer and, not later than fifteen days thereafter, the Treasurer shall pay the grant to the municipality.

[(d)](e)Each municipality receiving an emergency relief grant under this section shall use the grant for the reimbursement of eligible costs associated with local emergency response activities or to satisfy a local matching requirement for federal disaster assistance. If the municipality should at any time recover any portion of such costs from another source, the municipality shall repay the local emergency relief account for any reimbursement received to the extent of such recovery.

Sec. 98. (NEW) (a) On or after the effective date of this act, the Retirement Commission may create a deferred retirement option plan and prescribe the manner in which such option plan may be adopted by a municipality participating in the Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund, provided the method of adoption is in accordance with subsection (c) of this section. If created, such plan shall permit members of the Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund who are eligible for a service retirement allowance to elect participation in such plan, provided such plan has been adopted by the participating municipality that employs such member.

(b) The deferred retirement option plan shall include a fixed period of time for member participation, not to exceed five years, and a specified rate of interest credit for member accounts. All other provisions of the deferred retirement option plan shall be as determined by the Retirement Commission, provided the structure of such plan is certified by the consulting actuary to the Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund as having no anticipated impact on the contribution rates for municipalities participating in said fund.

(c) Any municipality participating in the Municipal Employees' Retirement Fund shall have the option of adopting the deferred option plan for its members. Such adoption shall be in a manner prescribed by the Retirement Commission.

Sec. 99. Section 5-162f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

On or after October 1, 1982, each retired member who (1) has completed twenty-five years of state service in accordance with subsection (c) of section 5-162, (2) has completed twenty years of hazardous duty service described in section 5-173, or [who](3) is receiving retirement income under section 5-173 or 5-188, shall receive a minimum monthly retirement income of [three hundred dollars]eight hundred thirty-three dollars and thirty-four cents, less any reduction for any option under section 5-165, or any actuarial reduction under subsection (c) of section 5-163, or both. Such minimum monthly benefit, for members already retired, shall be determined after the application of any cost-of-living adjustments under sections 5-162b, 5-162d and 5-162h. Such minimum shall also apply to a member who has completed twenty-five years of state service who terminates prior to being eligible for immediate retirement benefits, but this provision shall not result in an earlier commencement of benefits than would otherwise apply.

Sec. 100. Public act 00-89 shall take effect from its passage.

Sec. 101. Section 31 of public act 90-270 is repealed.

Sec. 102. This act shall take effect from its passage, except that sections 15 to 21, inclusive, sections 26 to 42, inclusive, sections 50 and 53, sections 79 to 82, inclusive, and section 98 shall take effect July 1, 2000, sections 1 to 3, inclusive, sections 5 to 8, inclusive, and section 11 shall take effect January 1, 2001, and section 6 shall be applicable to taxable years commencing on or after January 1, 2001, and section 11 shall be applicable to income years commencing on or after January 1, 2001.